Chapter 537

“Hmph, hmph…”

The continuous sound of the steam engine pulling the hook knife to cut metal resonated.

Song Changping and the craftsmen in the firearm workshop looked at the steaming steel monster in front of them with some shock. Although the craftsmen in the steam engine workshop had used steam engines to power the craftsmen in cutting rifling two days ago, this unprecedented machinery still made it difficult for them to psychologically accept it for a while.

“Workshop Supervisor Song, now that we have this steam engine, won’t cutting rifling leave us with nothing to do?”

Song Changping watched the hook knife extend and retract in the gun barrel. One craftsman was responsible for rotating the gun barrel, allowing the hook knife to draw perfect rifling in the barrel.

“How could we have nothing to do? Even if this steam engine replaces us in pulling the hook knife, we still have to carefully watch this machine to ensure the rifling is cut correctly.” Song Changping said.

“My point is, this steam engine is so powerful, won’t it leave many craftsmen without work in the future?” The craftsman asked worriedly. I wasn’t talking nonsense.

In fact, due to the use of steam engines in the lathe workshop, a large number of craftsmen who used to work there became idle. These craftsmen were then transferred to their workshop to be responsible for the production of flintlock guns.

Now that the steam engine had appeared here again, they couldn’t help but worry.

“Your worry is excessive. Qingzhou is currently severely lacking firearms. So far, we have only produced forty-five thousand flintlock guns. Firearms and cannons have not been popularized in most of the fief’s armies. Now, with the current situation in Great Yu Empire, more firearms will certainly be needed in the future.” Song Changping said. He understood why these craftsmen would have such thoughts.

Currently, the military factory craftsmen’s salaries were very high. Even though most craftsmen were still slaves, none of them wanted to lose their current work.

“Song Changping is right. Even if steam engines replace some craftsmen, the military factory’s current output is insufficient. What you should be worried about now is how to meet the army’s equipment procurement needs.”

Xiao Ming’s voice suddenly came from outside.

Hearing this sound, Song Changping and the craftsmen turned around, only to see Xiao Ming walking towards them, fanning himself.

“Your Highness.”

Song Changping led the craftsmen in bowing to Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming told everyone to dispense with the formalities. He walked towards the steam engine and hook knife assembly that was cutting the rifling. At this time, the steam engine was pulling the hook knife back and forth in a linear motion through a connecting rod.

Each time the hook knife entered and exited the gun barrel, it would pull out a shallow mark. The craftsman in charge supervised the rifling process. With the steam engine, there were now over thirty gun barrels, and the six steam engine hook knives greatly increased the efficiency of rifling.

“How is it? How many rifled gun barrels can be produced in a day now?” Xiao Ming asked.

Song Changping replied, “Compared to one per month previously, the steam engine can now produce one per day. Lin Wentao has now enabled thirty hook knives in the military factory to cut rifling using steam engines. If there are no defective products, nine hundred per month is not a problem.”

“Hmm, that quantity is sufficient. For now, the main focus should still be on producing smoothbore flintlock guns, understood?” Xiao Ming nodded with satisfaction. Whether produced by humans or machines, there was always a reject rate. He saw some scrapped gun barrels discarded to one side. Song Changping said nine hundred gun barrels if there were no rejects, but if rejects were factored in, it would probably be seven or eight hundred rifled gun barrels a month.

Xiao Ming was already very satisfied with this number. Currently, his equipment plan was still based on smoothbore guns, supplemented by rifled guns. After all, he didn’t have much time to wait for equipment upgrades. What he needed more now was quantity to cope with the current crisis.

As for mass-equipping rifled guns, it could only be a gradual replacement during the war.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Song Changping said.

After a pause, Xiao Ming continued, “By the way, I have allocated another batch of craftsmen to you this time. Now your firearm workshop can expand into another workshop, with two workshops simultaneously producing flintlock guns.”

“Another batch of craftsmen?” Song Changping was somewhat excited, and the other craftsmen also breathed a sigh of relief. This proved that there was indeed a severe shortage of firearms in the fief now.

Liang Dahai had not yet returned, but the first batch of slaves had already been delivered. According to Liang Dahai’s subordinates, Liang Dahai would arrive with the last batch of slaves.

After being at sea for such a long time, Liang Dahai brought back eight thousand slaves this time. Before Qingzhou merchants could divide this batch of slaves, five thousand of them were assigned to this military factory.

Although these people currently knew nothing, it would not take long for them to learn through experienced craftsmen teaching new ones. After all, assembling flintlock guns was not a high-level skill.

“Five thousand people. This time, I have prioritized your firearm workshop. You must keep up with the production of flintlock guns. The fief might face war at any time. If I lose, everything in the fief will vanish.” Xiao Ming frowned and said.

Song Changping’s expression became serious. He suddenly felt a heavy burden. Patting his chest, he said, “Your Highness, even if I don’t eat or drink, I will definitely complete this batch of equipment on time and in quantity.”

“Hmm, I trust you. By the way, a portion of the flintlock guns produced from now on should be distributed to the armies of Cangzhou, Yizhou, and Laizhou.”

Song Changping responded with a “yes.”

After instructing on firearm production, Xiao Ming suddenly asked, “How many rifled guns do you still have here?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, there are still sixty rifled guns.” Song Changping said.

“Sixty?” Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed. The range and accuracy of rifled guns were incomparable to smoothbore guns, making them suitable for use as sharpshooters in the army.

After all, even in cold weapon armies, a batch of archers would be selected to handle special tasks, and he, on the other hand, needed rifled guns even more to complete special operations missions.

“Bring this batch of sixty rifled guns to me. I have a use for them.” Xiao Ming showed a faint smile.

Hearing this, Song Changping had the craftsmen bring out three long wooden boxes. These contained the rifled guns.

Xiao Ming’s purpose for this personal visit was to inspect the production of the rifled guns, to discuss the matter of the slaves, and to urge Song Changping to increase production.

After a quick tour, he no longer disturbed the workshop’s production, and had his accompanying guards carry the flintlock guns back.

Ever since the Prince of Zhao entered Chang’an, besides Zhao Long and Zhao Hu, Xiao Ming also had a hundred elite soldiers responsible for protecting him. In times of chaos, enemies might use any means.

Especially assassination. This method was low-cost and high-reward. He did not want to die before achieving success, so he agreed to Pang Yukun’s suggestion and added a hundred personal guards to protect his safety.